The President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Nice, Bernard Kleynhoff, presented his New Year wishes to the press. It was an opportunity to reflect on the summary of 2015 and the upcoming prospects.
For the president, the year 2015 was very difficult for businesses. The bad weather and the attacks had a detrimental effect on merchants. 1,134 companies were affected by natural disasters. There were six compensation commissions over three months, with 543 files processed and reviewed in commission, representing 48% of the total. The CCI estimates that a total of 700 files will be reviewed and processed in commission.
Thanks to the crowdfunding operation: €31,797 were donated by 52 donors. The donations will be distributed to businesses in addition to the CCI intervention fund (the bad weather caused €62 million in damage and €12.5 million in operating losses).
This is a heavy burden for the president, who laments “State aid was nonexistent because support was provided only to communities. Not all insurance companies played their part. We need to take actions to help merchants restart and reassure tourism.”
With the sales period approaching, the drop in store patronage due to the attacks is being felt throughout the department. 59% of merchants believe that the turnover will be lower compared to last year. In Cannes, pessimistic merchants: 56% believe that this year will be worse on the Côte d’Azur.
Goals for the Year 2016
For the President, the goal is mainly to revitalize the businesses, reassure tourism, and especially engage the youth in the merchant profession. Open house days will be organized throughout the year for young people to meet professionals.
The Head of State has announced an increase in professional training contracts, which should rise to 50,000 beneficiaries from the current 8,000. These work-study training contracts combine practical and theoretical training. The training would target the least qualified unemployed and focus on future-oriented sectors (digital, environment…) and unfilled jobs. The State will allocate one billion euros to finance the training plan for 500,000 unemployed people. Measures that will be accompanied by the CCI in 2016 according to the President.
Regional priority for the CCI, with the Night of Orientation on March 4 and the Apprenticeship Month with open house days. The CCI trains and integrates more than 1,000 apprentices enrolled in schools into companies: automotive, nautical, aviation, pharmacy-health, commerce, services.
The “I CONSUME COTE D’AZUR” Campaign
The goal: to motivate consumers to support the Azurian economy by prioritizing the local commercial fabric. Giving a boost by leveraging the spirit of solidarity to support their economy. A partnership operation with local communities and merchant association federations deployed throughout the Alpes-Maritimes.
French Tech Côte d’Azur
The French Tech Côte d’Azur ecosystem established in 2015 will enable the emergence of startups within its territory. The goal is: to rebalance its growth through the endogenous development of businesses that capitalize on the existing ecosystem to grow and project themselves internationally.
50 new eligible startups each year in an acceleration process within three years, 10 new tech champions with international reach, to promote a collective momentum.
Today, 1,684 French Tech Côte d’Azur companies are established in the department. These companies employ nearly 22,900 people with a turnover of €4.2 billion.
For the president of the CCI, the year 2016 is a new beginning “I have complete confidence in the work of companies, but the global and national context may complicate matters.”
